Spring Fever

Today I visited Jinan's famous freshwater springs. The springs are mostly underground, but in some places, they quite literally bubble to the surface, joining and becoming one with local rivers and ponds. In most cases, the clean spring water is immediately contaminated by the dark polluted murk that is a Chinese river. But sometimes, the spring water bubbles up into a little pool, separate from the main river, and can be seen in all its glory. These pools are clear and blue and quiet. Or, they would be if not for the throngs of Chinese crowding around to take a look. Back in the day, all of Jinan drank spring water all of the time, and apparently Jinan women were known for their soft skin and clear complexions. Putting two and two together, I quickly realized that I should do what everyone else at the springs was doing, and fill a bottle (or seven) to take home. Many visitors came prepared with giant jugs attached to long strings, so they were able to lower their receptacle into the clear pool, fill it, and pull it back up. Like this guy:


I only had my little Sigg, so I thought I'd have to turn away empty handed. But wait! Set back a bit from one of the pools, someone had tapped into the spring and created a separate, smaller stream of water, conveniently sized to flow directly into smaller water bottles. I elbowed my way to the front of the crowd and was able to fill my bottle. Success! All I have to do now is wait for the water to work its magic. And hopefully the magic will be on my skin, not on my intestines.